Edward Gerald StruttCH was a British agriculturist who played an important role in British food and agricultural planning during World War I, for which he received the Order of the Companions of Honour in 1917. As well as running his family's estates, advising on agriculture, and serving on various government committees, he co-founded the surveyors and land agents Strutt & Parker.
After finishing his studies at Cambridge in 1874, Strutt apprenticed for a firm of land agents, Rawlence and Squarey of Salisbury, who were well known as a leading firm of Estate Agents. Two years late in 1876, at the age of only 22, he began the management of the family's estates in Essex, but initially most of the land was let out, requiring little work. However, from 1878 following bad harvests and a fall in the price of wheat, he took more direct control, switching to a system of arable and dairy farming. His improvements to dairy farming included the growing of lucerne and other grasses as feed, increased hygiene measures, and testing for tuberculin to remove sickly cattle. In 1884 he secure the agency for the country properties of Guy's Hospital. Guy's Hospital had considerable properties in Essex and elsewhere besides the farms in-hand and for these Edward Strutt was responsible. He felt the need for a partner in the land agency side and early in 1884 he contacted his friend and neighbour Charles Parker, asking him to join him in establishing a land-agency business. On 21 December 1885 a deed of partnership was drawn up between the 2 friends and Strutt & Parker was created. He founded Lord Rayleigh's Dairies Ltd to sell his milk to the London Milk Market in 1900. This was later sold in 1929 to the Express Dairy Co. Ltd During World War I, he was involved in food and agricultural policy, serving as a member of Lord Milner's food production committee. Submarine warfare severely reduced food imports, meaning it was essential to maximise food production in the UK. He helped frame the Corn Production Act 1917 which encouraged ploughing up pasture and replacing with crops. He served on many government committees: on post-war agriculture policy, the Royal Commission on Oxford and Cambridge universities and the Royal Commission on tariffs. He served as an honorary advisor to the Board of Agriculture, and was an alderman of Essex County Council. He pioneered sugar-beet production in the UK. He later became president of the Surveyors' Institute.
Death
He died 8 March 1930 in Hatfield Peverel, Essex, UK, following heart trouble. His estate had a gross value of GBP 170,636.
